manynovel Chapter 6 Origin and Promotion
Chapter 6 Origin and Promotion
The basement was bathed in blue light, and the Book of Secrets, Suren, and the magic circle were all drawn together by the blue light, seemingly establishing some kind of mysterious connection.
Suren could clearly sense that the person she was trying to connect with was being replaced by the Book of Secrets.
Even more strangely, Corrigan and the people around him seemed completely unaware of anything amiss.
At this moment, Suren's left hand had pale knuckles and black fingernails.
As the heart held in his hand gradually melted away, Suren clearly felt his previously agitated left hand return to normal.
Suren remained outwardly calm, but inwardly he was utterly shocked. This unexpected turn of events happened so fast that he hadn't even had time to react.
At least the outcome was good; the "evil in the mirror" seemed to have weakened, Suren comforted herself.
The light from the magic circle gradually dimmed, like a gas lamp that had run out of gas. The pages of the "Book of Secret Knowledge" stopped turning and slowly closed.
Suren noticed that the eyes on the book were closed, and the surrounding tentacles had disappeared.
Corrigan stepped forward and gave Suren a push:
"Alright, stop standing there like an idiot. The others still have their rituals to perform."
Suren walked back to his original spot in a daze, feeling puzzled. They hadn't noticed the strange change that had just occurred.
Suren speculated that the Book of Secrets should have a certain effect on changing perceptions, but he didn't know if this influence would work on powerful people.
One by one, the others performed the rituals, while Suren silently felt the changes within herself.
The most obvious change is his memory; he can easily recall all his memories from the time he can remember, down to every single detail.
Suren tried to recall her memories of the day, and could even remember the small cut on Lawrence's finger when she first entered the office.
In addition, Suren discovered that the special energy he used to activate the "Deteriorating Secret Consciousness" could now be freely controlled.
It's like an arm or an eye; you can control it with just a thought.
At this point, all the other people's rituals had also ended.
Everyone was somewhat excited, each feeling the changes in their bodies.
Corrigan nodded in satisfaction, then addressed the crowd:
"You should now be able to clearly feel that you can communicate with a new power."
This is what I referred to earlier as "Source Knowledge," a crucial medium for activating divinely bestowed abilities.
Corrigan tapped his forehead and added:
"Concentrate your mind and try to manipulate the source knowledge; you should be able to sense many vague nodes."
The blessings of the god of balance and covenant are the nodes arranged horizontally.
Suren tried to concentrate as Corrigan had instructed, but found that the scene she was seeing was completely different.
Six nodes appeared in my consciousness, forming a network centered on the Book of Secrets.
The strangest thing is that they are not, as Corrigan said, vague.
In Suren's consciousness, these nodes were exceptionally clear, and Suren could clearly sense the power they represented.
At that moment, Corrigan's voice came through my ear:
"The first node is required by all professions, while the second node represents the 'Battlefield Alchemist.' The fifth node represents the 'Alchemist,' and the rest belong to the 'Contract Justice Master.'"
Corrigan's tone turned serious, and he solemnly warned:
"Remember, do not attempt to explore other nodes indiscriminately. Only those geniuses who are devout enough and favored by the gods can perfectly master the abilities of all professions; they are called 'Saints'."
At this point, a cryptic smile crept onto his lips, a mixture of envy and mockery: "Some mediocre people fantasize that they are also 'saints,' but end up trapped at the level of 'those who seek the truth' for their entire lives, never able to take another step forward."
"The Seeker of Reason," Suren murmured the word.
The strange naming conventions didn't seem like the church's usual rhetoric full of divine grace. "Someone who's trying to discern patterns?" Suren thought to himself.
"But," Karl raised his hand, his confusion genuine and undisguised, "how will I know if I'm a genius if I don't try?"
"The gods bestow power upon you; how much you can wield depends on your own comprehension." Corrigan chuckled, his laughter echoing in the small room. "Unless you can perfectly master your professional abilities in three months, you won't be qualified to glimpse other abilities, otherwise..."
He didn't finish speaking; he just shook his head, but everyone knew what that meant.
A girl with long, dark red hair leaned forward eagerly: "Then what constitutes perfect control?"
"You can go to the library later to check the list of abilities for your professions." Corrigan's tone returned to its routine calm. "As you continue to use your abilities, the nodes in your consciousness will become clearer and clearer. When you can sense them with your eyes closed, as naturally as sensing your own heartbeat, that's when you've achieved perfect control."
After he finished speaking, his gaze swept over the crowd again, finally lingering for a moment on a certain spot.
Suren lowered her eyes, avoiding his gaze.
His current abilities clearly do not originate from the God of Balance, but rather from the path of the "Filthy Ones" that Corrigan mentioned.
Perhaps, power is not a gift from the gods? Suren felt that his thoughts were somewhat blasphemous.
According to Corrigan, he could clearly feel the nodes, so he must be a saint.
Absurd, Suren sneered inwardly. If he could be considered a devout believer, that would be the biggest joke of all.
Corrigan ignored the crowd who were still processing the information and continued speaking to himself:
"To advance from the lowest rank of 'Thinkers,' you only need to do two things: practice the doctrine with unwavering faith and use your abilities."
This will increase your total 'Source Knowledge' and recovery speed, making your abilities easier to activate.
As for when I'll be eligible for promotion...
Corrigan's gaze swept over the crowd, a meaningful smile playing on his lips:
"You'll know for yourselves at that time. It's a... very intuitive feedback."
Suren dissected and analyzed these words, interpreting them in his own way.
Although pursuing logic in a world with superhuman abilities is a strange thing, Suren still prefers to think using his familiar thought patterns.
Practicing doctrine and using abilities will increase the total amount of "source knowledge," although the two seem to have no connection.
This is like saying, "Pious prayer can purify your blood" or "Following the precepts can strengthen your bones." It's not that the statements are untenable, but they lack a crucial point: "Why?"
His power came from the "Book of Secrets," and there were no doctrines involved. If Suren hadn't taken a completely different path, he might have believed the church's explanation.
But now, doubt, like a seed, has taken root in the cracks of consciousness.
If Suren wants to be promoted, she needs to figure out the truth behind it.
Corrigan continued speaking rapidly. Suren, observing his expression, inexplicably recalled those office workers in her past life who were eager to leave work.
"If you are devout enough, you can usually be promoted to 'Awakener' in 3-5 years, but that's just being an outstanding human."
Corrigan sighed: "Only by reaching the third stage can one transcend the human realm, but this is extremely difficult, and many people never reach it in their entire lives."
Suren looked up and carefully examined Corrigan. He looked to be in his forties. Judging from his tone, he had also stopped at the "Awakener" stage, perhaps ten years or more.
But according to Corrigan's statement, one can advance simply by using their ability, which means one can repeatedly use it to gain experience.
This method is definitely not going to work, otherwise Corrigan wouldn't be stuck in the "Awakener" stage.
Corrigan turned around, took five sheets of paper from the drawer of the table, and spread them out on the table. The papers were a light beige color with neat edges and dense text printed on the top.
"Sign these contracts now, and after you do, you'll be the 'Death Birds'."
The contractual issues that previously troubled Suren are no longer a concern.
Because his newly acquired ability is sufficient to perfectly solve the problem.